Businesses run by lovely people being true to themselves – Christine Livingston

I first met Christine Livingston in 2004 on Coaching Development’s coach training programme. I was immediately drawn to her vibrant energy, and honesty – we have stayed connected ever since, bouncing ideas off each other and working together as each other’s clients over the years.

Christine has kindly agreed to take part in my Authentic Business Series, so here is what she has to say…

Who/what is your greatest inspiration?

My partner, Steve. He’s an incredibly smart man with a heart, and sense of humour to match his brilliance. Together we have created a fabulous relationship, the kind of which I would not have thought possible a decade or so ago before I dared to trust that he was out there. Having him and his love has raised the bar for what I want from other aspects of my life.

What’s the story of how your started your work as a coach?

I’d had a dream for years to work for myself. You know that thing you think about on holidays and drunken nights before snapping yourself back to “reality”. But then I had a really bad experience of working for a consulting company. The lifestyle was different for a start – it was work 24/7 and live out of a suitcase. Then there was the challenge of bringing influence and leadership in a completely different way. I struggled. And there was no-one to support me or with whom to talk through my experience. The culture was one in which any sign of weakness would be jumped on. So, I got creative and personally hired someone who was effectively my first “coach”.

Working with that woman was such an amazing and transformative experience that I decided I needed to do something similar myself. I wanted to be sure that other folks didn’t have to suffer as I had in their quest to be good at their jobs and have a good life too.

What’s unique about what you do that reflects who you are as a person?

I’m genuinely interested and curious about people and have a very playful quality that can be as provocative as it is light. I think this allows people to really engage in their own coaching journey with enthusiasm. And allows profound change to happen.

How has being online/social media impacted most on your work?

It’s helped me be more confident. I think before being online I’d swallowed a whole load of shit about “having consulting guard” and “looking like a professional”. Through blogging and Twitter I’ve learned to come out from behind the mask and be more spontaneous more quickly. Which feels much more natural to me.

Being able to stop hedging online has allowed me to do the same offline. The result is I’ve transformed the networks through which I either invite people to work with me, or am referred clients.

Which in turn has meant that more of the kind of people I work best with have appeared for me.

Can you tell me about the most interesting connection you’ve made online?

Undoubtedly, Michael Martine. He taught me the basics of blogging in the beginning – headline writing, getting straight to the point in my posts, linking my blog with othe social media “satellites”. More recently, he has been supporting me to find an online approach that is more congruent with my business. That’s all currently incubating, but I’m very happy with how it’s shaping up.

What to do you want to be remembered for?

Being someone who helped others live their absolute best lives.

Christine Livingston coaches already successful people to claim their full potential in work and in life. When she’s not coaching, she loves coffee, hanging out with her nephew, and travelling. Her website is in the midst of a creative overhaul, the results of which are due in mid-October. Be sure you don’t miss the launch announcement by contacting Christine here.